Chapter 82: A Crack in the Silence
Josie
The woman blinked at me with wide eyes, her lips parting just slightly like she didn’t expect me to confront her directly. "I have no idea what you’re talking about," she said, her voice level but strained. "I respect you... a lot... as the Alpha’s future Luna. But I can’t answer questions I don’t know anything about."
I exhaled slowly, pressing my tongue against the inside of my cheek. I hated feeling powerless, hated that I was the omega and she was the one with authority. But I wouldn’t let that show. Not now.
"You’re the easiest person to talk to," I said carefully, slowly, keeping my tone even as I stared her down. "Especially after what happened at the party. But if you decide to get on our nerves..." I let the pause settle, like poison in the air. "It wouldn’t be so good for you."
That landed.
Her back straightened, and I could see the panic flood into her expression.
"I didn’t mean to hide anything," she said quickly. "Varen... he helped me and my children when he didn’t have to. I’m not going to take that for granted. Truly."
I didn’t respond. I waited. Let her talk.
"Michelle used her authority to silence me. She told me if I spoke out, she’d make sure I never found work again. And I believed her. I thought you were outside that night before the video ever started spreading. I did. I just... I didn’t know for sure."
"You stayed silent," I said, my voice colder now. "You should’ve crosschecked the facts. You should’ve spoken up. Instead, you hid like a coward. You’re an Alpha, aren’t you? Start acting like it."
Her jaw trembled, and her shoulders dropped like the weight of the past had finally caught up to her.
"My husband gave me pride," she whispered, eyes glistening. "He was an Alpha. He made people listen. But now he’s dead. And since then... no one looks at me the same. I’m not respected like I used to be. I was afraid. I didn’t want to be hurt like that again."